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Torture, abuse and a suspect's death: An RUC holding centre used during the Troubles

Bobby Hanvey was the only photographer allowed to take pictures before the building was demolished.

OVER TWO DECADES, thousands of paramilitaries were held and questioned at Castlereagh RUC barracks in Belfast.

The holding centre was the subject of controversy as allegations about the treatment by police of those suspected of terrorists acts. In 1978, a suspect died in a holding centre, stirring up allegations of torture and physical abuse and these allegations were backed up by reports in the 1990s.

Burns Library at the Boston College has this collection of photos from 2002, which shows the inside of the holding centre. Bobby Hanvey was the only photographer allowed into the building before it was demolished.

Castlereagh RUC Barracks
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  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Outside view of RUC station, Castlereagh, Belfast.Source: Burns Library, Boston College
  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Medical room at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College
  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Warden's recreation room at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College
  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Cell block at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College
  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Holding centre and disused sanger at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College
  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Files and prisoner medical records at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College
  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Cell bed and chair at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College
  • 6119977305_50ab32229c_o

    Source: Burns Library, Boston College
  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Shelves of cassette tapes used to record prisoner interviews.Source: Burns Library, Boston College
  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Exercise cage for prisoners.Source: Burns Library, Boston College
  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Shower area for prisoners at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College
  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Shelves of prisoner records.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

Read: Former IRA officer: ‘Gardaí colluded with us during the Troubles’>

Victim of Enniskillen Bombing: ‘I remember running around as if it was a horror movie’>

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    Mute John O Neill
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    Aug 16th 2015, 9:11 PM

    That’s only the tip of the iceberg, it’s going on wholesale

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    Mute Lindsay Price
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:04 PM

    Proof?

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    Mute Crocodylus Pontifex
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:16 PM

    Really? As if proof of wholesale international fraud is going to end up on the comments section of the journal. It will be hiding between Enda bashing and comments that viscount biscuits have notions.

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    Mute Lindsay Price
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:23 PM

    I would love a viscount biscuit right now.

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    Mute Crocodylus Pontifex
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:39 PM

    Mint or orange?

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    Mute Lindsay Price
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    Aug 16th 2015, 11:19 PM

    Orange only people with severe mental difficulties like mint.

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    Mute Crocodylus Pontifex
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    Aug 16th 2015, 11:27 PM

    Lindsay, we have come to a serious impasse

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    Mute Normal Josephine
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    Aug 17th 2015, 7:31 AM

    Viscount biscuits have notions? Of what?

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    Mute Giuseppe Valente
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    Aug 16th 2015, 9:19 PM

    Happens very second of everyday around the world markets. Tip offs and press releases or “leaked” internal documents escape to the “public domain” or information is stolen or bought. Only different here is the wrong group of manipulating smart people made money from manipulating smart people how are in charge and there not happy about it.

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    Mute Ian Scott
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    Aug 16th 2015, 11:16 PM

    totally agree and a point to note that the Rothschild’s made their fortunes by hearing about news on the continent before everyone else using carrier pigeon and traded on the exchange in advance of the news… nobody knew their secret but it was that simple… information is power all right. hope they make money out of it again somehow..fair play to em…

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    Mute Marc Power
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    Aug 16th 2015, 9:17 PM

    wish I was that smart. ..to beat banks and financial institutions at their own game

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    Mute Lindsay Price
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:04 PM

    I am that smart, but I choosd not to do it.

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    Mute Marc Power
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:50 PM

    oh i soo wish I was as good as you

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    Mute Lindsay Price
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    Aug 16th 2015, 11:18 PM

    Everyone does Marc.

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    Mute Colly
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    Aug 17th 2015, 2:53 AM

    You choo choo choo choosd not to spell. .. chief wiggum would be proud.

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    Mute Chicinho
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    Aug 16th 2015, 11:11 PM

    Where’s Meeks with that Orange Crop Report!

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    Mute Stephen Bernard
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    Aug 16th 2015, 9:48 PM

    I wish I had ideas like this.

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    Mute Lindsay Price
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    Aug 16th 2015, 9:06 PM

    Wow normally all the crime I do is pissing in public and stealing chewing gum.

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    Mute little jim
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    Aug 16th 2015, 9:10 PM

    Do you peel it off the floor when you’re down there?!!

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    Mute Lindsay Price
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:04 PM

    Yes.

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    Mute little jim
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    Aug 16th 2015, 11:48 PM

    Then it’s not stealing, you’re not so bad after all!

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    Mute Darach Malone
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    Aug 16th 2015, 11:06 PM

    Read ‘Flash Boys’ by Ben Mezrich.

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    Mute Michael Russell
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    Aug 17th 2015, 12:49 AM

    It’s written by Michael Lewis….. But yes- do check it out.

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    Mute Grot Master
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    Aug 17th 2015, 1:26 AM

    The censors are out in force tonight. What the F?

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    Mute Grot Master
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    Aug 17th 2015, 1:29 AM

    Flash Boys – A salutary lesson for any wannabe Wall St. Wolves out there. The game is rigged and the organizers are doing the rigging. A mind blowing read, impossible to put down. It has an Irish connection too – YKW, I’ll re-read it.
    *NB – Finally able to post this comment.

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